National Park Tour Day 1-June 14

Here we are at Panera for a little break.

And we parked at a rest stop with the "Big Rigs" - one of many new experiences for the day.  We left Lerch RV at 8:30 AM and arrived at Salem VA at 4:00 PM.  One of our many surprises is $3.35 cent gas - wow -this alone cuts $400.00 off the trip.  Another surprise was the luxury of the Turnpike Service Stations - Starbucks, Auntie Anns - and sparkling bathrooms.  That was a far cry from Howard Johnsons of my Pittsburgh years.  Tom is watching his RPMs like a hawk and today we got 12 miles to a gallon.  We are headed back now to our choice spot in the Walmart parking lot.  Tomorrow we will arrive in Cades Cove Campground in Great Smokey National Park.  More adventures to come.